Terrace Bistro in Stockton Heath launches Christmas taster menu

Nine course taster menu with matching wines – A Taste of Christmas – is coming to the London Road restaurant on Saturday, November 30, with other dates expected to be added in December.

It includes the likes of chestnut veloute, pan seared scallops, sous vide guinea fowl, beef rossini, mulled wine sorbet and sticky figgy pudding all served in The Terrace’s intimate surroundings.

Former Priestley College student Marc Smith returned to Warrington to open the upmarket restaurant earlier this year after learning his trade in the hospitality industry over almost three decades.

He said: “Our customers continue to ask for tasting menus, they are so popular and fill up very quickly.

“Winter is an amazing season and there is so much great local produce to work with so I thought why not combine this tasting menu with the best the season has to offer and give our guests a taste of what’s to come in December. We are so excited for our first Christmas at Terrace Bistro and, by the bookings we have already, so are the people of Stockton Heath.

“We’ve got a really busy and exciting December planned and can’t wait to celebrate with all of our guests.”

Marc works closely with executive head chef Phil Daley, who has held numerous head chef roles including many years at Panoramic in Liverpool.

He added: “Phil is quickly becoming a very recognisable celebrity in the village and not only does he produce incredible menus and dishes but he’s also encouraged and loves to join our guests each service to see how they enjoyed their meals.

“We pride ourselves not only on our food but also our personal service and engagement with each and every one of our guests.

“Everybody knows us by name and it’s that extra special touches that keep bringing them back time and time again.”

Marc, who started at the Lord Daresbury Hotel in 1990 and has been in the hospitality industry since, holding manager positions with De Vere, Village, Q Hotels and Macdonald Hotels, has also enjoyed the challenge of changing people’s perception of fine dining.

He said: “We’ve had an amazing time, especially since we rebranded as the Terrace Bistro. From opening the feedback was phenomenal but there was a perception around the restaurant and around fine dining that it was expensive, formal, stuffy and only for a special occasion.

“This is not us and everyone that visits knows this – we’re relaxed, welcoming, friendly and informal with some amazingly priced menus put together with the very best of our fresh, local and seasonal produce.

“We offer a small, seasonal bistro menu every evening that changes throughout the month and is dictated by what great produce we can source from our suppliers.

“All our menus are this style be it breakfast, brunch, lunch or prix fix, we use the very best produce we can source and we update our menus accordingly.

“Same goes for our wine list, it evolves with the changes of our food.”

Partridge in a pear tree

Arrival canapes

Pontebello Prosecco Magnum 

Two turtle doves

Chestnut veloute

La Campagne Chardonnay, Pays D’Oc 

Three French hens

Pan seared scallops

Te Kairanga Riesling, Martinborough 

Four calling birds

Sous vide Guinea fowl

Familia Zuccardi, ‘Brazos’ Malbec 

Five gold rings

Pan fried hake

Jean-luc Colombo, Côte de Rhône Blanc

Six geese a laying

Beef rossini

La Roncaia, Refosco Friuli-Colli Orientali

Seven swans swimming

Mulled wine sorbet

Eight maids a milking

Sticky figgy pudding

Errazuriz, Late Harvest Sauivgnon

Nine ladies dancing

Mince pies

Lavazza Coffee

A Taste of Christmas is being offered at Terrace Bistro in London Road, Stockton Heath, on Saturday, November 30, and costs £70 per person. To book call 738902 or for more information visit terracebistro.co.uk/a-taste-of-christmas. The restaurant team will also be offering samples of their food at Stockton Heath Primary School hall during the Stockton Heath lights switch on event on Friday, November 29.